Vardenafil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is generally taken as needed, with or without food, sixty minutes before sexual activity. Vardenafil generally should not be taken more often than once every 24 hours. If you have certain health conditions or are taking certain drugs, your physician may tell you to take vardenafil less often. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your physician or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take vardenafil exactly as directed. Don’t take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your physician.

Sexual stimulation that leads to the engorgement and erection brings about the making and release of nitric oxide in the penis. Nitric oxide then activates the enzyme, guanylate cyclase to create cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The cGMP is most importantly responsible for increasing and thinning the size of the blood vessels carrying blood to and from the penis, respectively. Vardenafil prevents an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 from destroying cGMP so that cGMP persists longer. The longer cGMP persists, the more prolonged the engorgement of the penis. Vardenafil was approved by the FDA in August, 2003.

There can be an increase in heart rate and an exaggeration of blood pressure lowering effects of nitrates like nytroglycerine. If a patient is taking nitrates for chest pain, vardenafil has the chance tocause chest pain because of these changes. In this case, patients with angina should not take vardenafil.